ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute , D/o Biotechnology, M/o Science & Technology signs Memorandum of Understanding  with
The Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, Vietnam
After helping Indian companies for the clinical trials/development of vaccines for COVID-19 including Dr. Reddy’s , Zydus Cadilla , and Biological E, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute , Department of Biotechnology, M/o Science & Technology, Government of India has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company which is developing a new vaccine for COVID-19. His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI on 23rd September 2021, to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. THSTI has been at the fore front of research for COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Pramod Garg, Director, THSTI highlighted the important bilateral cooperation between India and Vietnam in Science & Technology besides other areas as envisioned and championed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Prof. Garg thanked His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, Ambassador of Vietnam, Department of Biotechnology, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India for their help and support which facilitated the MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharma. He hoped that this collaboration will add another vaccine in our collective fight against the pandemic.
His Excellency, Mr Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, mentioned about the wider areas of collaboration and appreciated the efforts of the Govt of India in supporting and helping Vietnam during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including supply of Oxygen tankers and Oxygen concentrators. He mentioned that this collaboration is a vivid manifestation of the strong ties between two countries. Mr. Pranay Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam joining from Hanoi also lauded the strong bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration against an international disease.
His Excellency Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, expressed his gratitude to THSTI, DBT and MEA for extending the support to evaluate the vaccine candidate, NanoCovax developed by Nanogen. He said that these collaborations will have far reaching positive impact on India-Vietnam’s friendly ties. He said that this MoU will pave way for more such opportunities between India and Vietnam and contribute to vaccine research in both the countries.
Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Dept. of Biotechnology congratulated THSTI for leveraging its expertise and facilities not only for India but also globally. She applauded the scientists and appreciated their efforts in developing vaccines and therapeutics.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Vidhya Krishnamoorthy, THSTI.
Ministry of Railways
Chennai – Mysore- Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first Integrated Management Systems  certified train of Southern Railway, first Shatabdi of Indian Railways and second mail/express train on Indian Railways
Chennai – Mysore- Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first Integrated Management Systems  certified train of Southern Railway, first Shatabdi of Indian Railways and second mail/express train on Indian Railways. A feather in the cap of Southern Railway, Chennai – Mysore – Chennai Shatabdi Express has received Integrated Management Systems Certification.
Train No. 12007/12008, Dr MGR Chennai Central – Mysore Jn – Dr MGR Chennai Central Shatabdi Express service is the first ever train service of Southern Railway to bag IMS Certification with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Certifications. The primary maintenance of the train is handled by Basin Bridge Coaching Depot of Chennai Division. This certification has been granted by the certification agency after comprehensive audit and duly verifying adherence by Railways to all laid down norms.
The pair of Shatabdi service between Chennai-Mysore-Chennai was run as Train No.12007/12008 in the pre-COVID times and presently run as Special service with Train No.06081/06082 .
Significant milestones achieved by Chennai-Mysore-Chennai Shatabdi Express :
• Chennai – Mysore – Chennai Shatabdi Express train was introduced on 11th May 1994.
• The service is the first ISO 9001:2001 certified train in Southern Railway 
• The train was inducted with state-of-the-art LHB coaches on 1st July 2009
• Running on HOG thereby reducing pollution and prevention of resource depletion 
• Maintaining 100% passenger amenities in working condition, 100% HOG and 100 % Bio digester toilet operations and 100% functional sub-pantry equipment
• Quality air conditioning, lighting and other electrical amenities. Special features
• On board house keeping facility 
• Energy conservation through LED lights and electrical fittings
• Braille signage seat indication number
• Pre-loaded Wi-fi Infotainment System
• Automatic sliding door closer for passenger coupe in Executive coach
• Reflective coach indication and toilet Toilet Occupancy Indication
• Aesthetic vinyl wrapping for coach interiors
• Automatic air fresheners for passenger coupes and toilets
• Comfortable seats with high quality upholstery
• All the coaches are provided with fire extinguishers with fire suppression system fitted in power cars
• Unified information sticker in all coaches with emergency contact numbers for the benefit of passengers.
Shri John Thomas, General Manager, Southern Railway inspected the train service and felicitated the team of Officers and Staff of Basin Bridge Depot whose concerted efforts bagged the IMS Certification for the premier train. General Manager presented the IMS Certification to Coach Depot Officer/Basin Bridge. He mentioned that the service is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities ensuring safe and comfortable travel for passengers.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
59th ABU General Assembly 2022 being held from 25th to 30th November’ 2022 in New Delhi
Prasar Bharati, India’s Public Service Broadcaster, which controls the premier electronic media organizations All India Radio  and Doordarshan  is hosting the 59th ABU General Assembly 2022. The theme of this year’s assembly is “Serving the People: Media’s Role in Times of Crisis”. The Conference is being held from 25th to 30th November 2022 at the Hotel Pullman. The event also includes the TV Song festival being held on 27th November’ 2002 in Siri Fort Auditorium.
The ABU  is a nonprofit, professional association of the broadcasting organizations of Asia and pacific region.
Around 300 international delegates from 40 countries representing 50 organizations are participating in the event.
The event coincides with the celebration of the 75th year of the India’s independence “Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav”.
Series of the international conferences are planned on the topics ranging from the Programming, Sports, Technical, Women’s Contribution and Participation, Planning and Strategy.
CEO, Prasar Bharati, in his address to the press on 26-11-2022 during the conference at hotel Pullman highlighted the important role the electronic media played during the Covid crisis and the necessity of the Electronic media to keep themselves ready, updated and relevant for the future. Prasar Bharati is set to play a leading role in shaping the policies for taking further the objectives of the ABU.
The Conference is first of its kind in the Broadcasting sector after Covid pandemic and is being held in the physical form. The participants are very excited and are enthusiastically participating in the event. Leading Broadcasting Equipment companies are also showcasing their latest products and services in the conference.
The Conference is expected to strengthen relations with Foreign Broadcasters, particularly from ASEAN countries, thus favoring the Act East Policy of the Government of India.
The Conference will provide opportunities for Broadcasters to interact with each other, discuss the challenges faced by Media industry in general and Public Service Broadcasters in particular.
The Conference will also provide opportunity to India to showcase its rich culture to visiting foreign dignitaries, thus promoting tourism and “Atma Nirbhar Bharat”on the International stage.
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes more than 300 kg of cocaine valued at approx. Rs. 2,000 crore in international market at Tuticorin Port
Based on specific intelligence that cocaine will be concealed in a consignment imported in container reaching V O C Port, Tuticorin, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  have intercepted the container declared to be containing wooden logs. The suspected container has originated from Panama, transited through the ports of Antwerp and Colombo.
On examination the suspected container was found to contain 9 bags concealed between the rows of wooden logs. On opening the said bags 302 white coloured compressed bricks wrapped in multiple layers of packing material were found. The contraband weighed 303 kg and it is highly suspected to be cocaine. The contraband along with cover goods i.e. wooden logs are seized under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Further investigation about the origin of the consignment and concealment of narcotic drugs is being carried out.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
GoM on Transport deliberates upon One Nation- One Tax and One Nation- One Permit in Guwahati today
Recommends uniform Road Tax structure and National Permits for buses and taxis
The Group of Ministers on Transport constituted by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has recommended a uniform structure of road tax for vehicles across states. In its meeting held in Guwahati today, the GoM observed that a uniform tax structure will put a check on people registering their vehicles in low tax states and running them in other states. This would also bring necessary relief to genuine cases requiring transfer of vehicles.
The GoM, headed by Shri Yunus Khan, Minister for Transport, Rajasthan and comprising State Transport Ministers, seeks to find solutions to the various problems plaguing the road transport sector in the country so as to improve road safety and facilitate ease of transport. Today’s meeting in Guwahati, inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Shri SarbanandaSonowal,was held to deliberate upon One Nation- One Tax and One Nation- One Permit proposal.
The GoM has also recommended a national bus and taxi permit on lines of such permit for goods transport. Public transport in the country is growing annually at a rate of just about 2 percent, as against a 20 percent annual growth in private transport. A national permit will give the much needed fillip to public transport and help reduce road congestion and its attendant problems.
In order to promote alternate fuel for vehicles the GoM had proposed liberalization of permit system for electric vehicles. In addition, it has recommended raising the tax on diesel vehicles by 2 percent while lowering the tax on electric vehicles.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
SCHOLARSHIP UNDER PM CARE CHILDREN SCHEME
The PM CARES for Children Scheme was launched by he Hon'ble Prime Minster of India on 29th May, 2021. Ministry of Women and Child Development has been designated as Nodal Agency for implementation of the Scheme by verification of the beneficiaries. The following provisions of Scholarship are under the Scheme to such Children who have lost both the Parents or legal Guardian or Adoptive Parents or Surviving Parent to COVID-19 pandemic, to continue their education without any hindrance:
School Education:
 Scholarship of Rs.20,000/- per student per annum to all school going children of Class 1 to 12 by the Ministry of Social justice & Empowerment. So far, 3700 number of beneficiaries has been assisted by the Ministry under this Scheme during the current financial year.
Higher Education:
 Provision of Swanath Scholarship of Rs.50,000/- per child per annum for technical education 
 Provision of skill training under KARMA Scheme by AICTE.
This information was given by The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Ministry of Finance
CGST Belapur Commissionerate, Mumbai Zone, busts Rs. 817 Crore fake GST invoice racket, One person Arrested
Mumbai | 20th August 2023
Officers of CGST Belapur Commissionerate of Mumbai Zone have busted a fake GST invoice racket, which was used to avail fake GST Input Tax Credit  of around Rs. 147 crore, on bogus invoices of Rs 817 Crores and have arrested the de facto director/ Mastermind of M/s Dhruvika Chemicals Trading Pvt. Ltd., M/s Nicolasa Trading Pvt. Ltd., M/s J B Dyechem Pvt. Ltd etc.
An investigation was initiated against the above group that they have indulged in receipt and issuance of only invoices without actual purchase and sale / supply of the goods, thereby availing and passing on ineligible GST Input Tax Credit, within the fictitious companies created for the purpose of inflating turnover and to avail bank loans. Searches were conducted and it was found that the entities created were non-functional or non-existent at the respective premises.
Investigation revealed that this group of firms had issued bogus invoices of Rs. 817 Crores and fraudulently claimed/ availed input tax credit of Rs. 147 Crore and passed on similar fake input tax credit amongst themselves or to various non-existent entities. It also appears that they also misappropriated Bank Loans of appx Rs. 127 Crores by adopting the above modus operandi.
Based on material evidence gathered during the enquiry, statements tendered and facts on records, the de facto Director was arrested on 18/08/2023 under Section 69 of CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017. He was produced before Honb'le JMFC court Belapur on 18/8/2023 and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days i.e. till 31/08/2023.
During the financial year 2022-23, the CGST Belapur Commissionerate detected GST evasion of Rs. 628 Crores, recovered/ reversed Rs. 270 Crores and arrested 3 tax evaders. CGST officers are using data analysis tools to identify and trace the potential fraudsters. This case is a part of the special drive launched by the CGST Mumbai Zone against the tax fraudsters and fake ITC networks.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses NCC Rally
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the NCC rally in New Delhi. He said every young NCC Cadet came to this gathering with his or her own personality and identity. But, he added, that over the course of a month, new friendships would have been forged, and a lot would have been learnt from each other. NCC camps teach every youngster about the different cultures of India, he said. They motivate every youngster to do something good for the nation, he added.
The Prime Minister said that this spirit that has been learnt in NCC camps will remain with the Cadets for life. He said that the National Cadet Corps is not about uniform or uniformity, it is about unity. Through NCC we nurture teams that work in mission mode and inspire others, he added.
The Prime Minister said that the NCC has completed seven glorious decades, and has given a sense of mission to several people. Today we celebrate what we have achieved and also think about how we can make the NCC experience even more effective in the years to come, the Prime Minister said. He urged all stakeholders to think about the plan of action of the next 5 years, when NCC turns 75.
Shri Narendra Modi asserted that the youth of India now refuse to accept corruption. He asserted that the fight against corruption and black money will not stop. He added that this is a fight for the future of India's youth.
The Prime Minister appealed to the Cadets to promote digital transactions through the BHIM App, and to motivate others to join that platform. He said that this a step towards transparency and accountability. Once the youth of India decide something, everything is possible, he added.
The Prime Minister said that earlier, people believed that nothing happens to the rich and powerful. But, he added that things are different today. People who served as Chief Ministers are in jail for their corruption, he asserted.
Speaking on Aadhaar, he said it has added great strength to India's development. What would earlier get into wrong hands is now going to the intended beneficiaries, he added.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Energy Asia 2023: CMD, IREDA urges proactive Carbon Capture Storage and Sequestration at CEO Round Table in Bangkok, Thailand
Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. , emphasized the need for avoided carbon emissions via reduced generation and utilization of power from conventional sources yesterday at the CEO round table at the Future Energy Asia  2023, sponsored by Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association.
Shri Das highlighted that India's remarkable progress in the Renewable Energy  sector surpasses the world average growth rate, and IREDA has been a major contributor to this achievement. He further stated that while India sustains the largest population in the world, the per capita energy consumption and per capita carbon emission intensity in India is significantly lower than the world’s average and other developed nations.
CMD, IREDA emphasized that while India has already achieved its earlier targets of 40% share of power generation from non-fossil fuel sources well before time, the Government of India has already notified targets, schemes and policies for emission reductions by 2030.
He added that India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
While the International Solar Alliance  aims to mobilize efforts against climate change through the optimal and planned deployment of solar energy solutions, India has been actively discussing RE transactions with other Asian countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh, including signing of several MoUs to advance RE growth and optimal utilization of available resources and energy consumption.
Shri Das highlighted that India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has increased 396% in the last 8.5 years wherein the installed solar energy capacity has increased by 24.4 times in the last 9 years. He added that in line with the One Sun One World One Grid initiative by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, cohesive and holistic efforts are timely required at all levels in the entire value chain to ensure optimal execution and utilisation of Carbon capture storage and sequestration  at the global levels.
He emphasized that to ensure optimal CCSS, there is a need for a comprehensive awareness programme to each power consumer/citizen of the country along with timely optimal capacity building of the stakeholders across the entire value chain. He further added that establishing the right policy at the right time and in a right manner for effective implementation, is certain to yield best anticipated results towards CCSS.
The round table was attended by senior representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Kingdom of Thailand, CEOs and heads from various international organizations from the energy sector. The deliberations included financing economic and operational challenges being faced for the CCUS projects including high costs of carbon capture.
President's Secretariat
President of India Inaugurates 29th Accountants General Conference; says audit is not an end in itself, it is a means to make Governments work better
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the 29th Accountants General Conference in New Delhi today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the 29th Accountants General Conference is the right occasion and opportunity to introspect and deliberate on what needs to be done to further our mission of promoting accountability, transparency and good governance. The theme of this year’s Conference is “Auditing and Accounting in a Digital Era”. This is extremely relevant today when the government is making great strides in ushering in Digital India.
The President was happy to note that the institution of CAG has come out with a data management policy and is increasingly using data analytics in its audit work. He said that through the use of data analytic techniques the CAG can assist in not only giving insights for the present but also aid in providing credible forecasts. With the tools appropriate to managing and examining the expanding data in a digital economy, the CAG is positioned to anticipate long-term trends and emerging issues related to the economy, education, health, environment, national security among others. These warrant the attention of lawmakers and the executive.
The President said that audit is not an end in itself. It is a means to make governments work better. We have to emphasise outcomes as a more meaningful measure of programme value than output. The CAG may deliberate on how would it, as an organisation, identify, understand and measure outcomes to study the impact of programmes. Such a study of programme effectiveness would be a big boon to policy makers. Such a study should also include a dialogue with the implementing agencies to understand their motivations and perspective.
The President said that in recent times, we have seen a massive decentralisation of funds, functions and functionaries. There is greater flexibility available to state governments. A number of welfare schemes are also implemented through urban local bodies and panchayats. However, it is a fact that accountability mechanisms at the local level are not as robust. The social audit to account whether the money was spent properly, and made the intended difference, is mostly conducted by the scheme beneficiaries. Here the CAG as an institution could partner with local citizens and state audit societies to train them, build capacities and issue advisories on framing of guidelines, developing criteria, methodology and reporting for audit.
Click here for the speech of President.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR signs MoU with BHEL to push ‘Make in India’ initiative
Water purification / sewage disposal related technologies to be the first joint project
(CSIR and BHEL have signed an MoU to cooperate, collaborate and pursue industrial application oriented research programmes and its commercialization in large scale. Thus, indigenously developed technologies by CSIR shall be commercialised & implemented jointly by BHEL & CSIR in the country, to make the Government of India initiative “Make in India” successful. The first joint project to be taken up under this collaboration shall be for commercialization by BHEL of various water purification / sewage disposal related technologies developed by CSIR. The MoU will remain in force for five years duration.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Secretary, Department for Scientific & Industrial Research and Director General, CSIR and Dr. Nalin Shinghal, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL here today.
CSIR, the premier R&D organisation of the country, is amongst the foremost scientific and industrial research organisation of the world while BHEL is one of India’s largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise in executing large Engineering, Procurement, Construction  contracts and commercializing the developed technologies for sustainable business solutions in the field of energy, industry, transmission, transportation renewables, defence & aerospace, oil & gas, water, energy storage and e-mobility.